Bill Hauf, a Del Mar Heights businessman and philanthropist, announced yesterday he is running to replace former U.S. Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, who resigned last year after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes.

Hauf becomes the 11th Republican in the race. Two Democrats and a Libertarian also are running.

Hauf said Cunningham's conviction brought a stain on the 50th Congressional District.

“I was outraged by that,” he said. “I'm further outraged by Congress, in terms of spending.”

Hauf, 61, made his announcement at the plaza at San Diego's City Administration Center, which is outside the congressional district. Only one reporter showed up.

Hauf, who has never before run for office, says he is a reform candidate. “I don't see anybody who's stepped up to the line who is running for the right reasons,” he said.

Hauf, a Del Mar Heights resident since 1988, is a real-estate investor and philanthropist whose nonprofit foundation, “It's Just The Kids,” has built playgrounds in Cuba.

He also has been active in the San Diego Highway Development Association, the Building Industry Association and the California Transportation Commission's Air Space Advisory Committee.

Hauf cited the recent fiasco over prescription drugs for patients on Medicare and Medi-Cal as an example of Congress' incompetence.

“The moment it is passed we read that the people . . . are in a position of not getting life-saving drugs,” he said, noting that states have had to bail out the federal program.

Hauf said “there's too much partisan politics” and added that he would work to do away with “earmarks,” provisions that representatives add to legislation to fund programs that benefit their supporters or campaign contributors.

That practice came under scrutiny after Cunningham, R-Rancho Santa Fe, pleaded guilty to taking bribes from defense contractors in return for steering federal contracts to them.

“I want to develop alliances and coalitions with members of both parties to form a coalition with a reform agenda,” Hauf said.